A Hellenistic Scale Weight from ‘Akko

A rare Hellenistic lead scale weight was retrieved from a Hellenistic-period accumulation layer (L121) excavated behind the moat counterscarp wall in the ‘Akko Ottoman fortifications (see Gosker, this volume). The well-preserved ‘Akko Moat weight sheds new light on the iconography and metrology of a series of weights, as it is similar to a lead weight of the same series found underwater offshore from ‘Atlit (Finkielsztejn 2016), and it exhibits some similar features to two other lead weights—one from an excavation at the ‘Akko Post Office, and the other from the Moussaief Collection. The ‘Akko Moat weight is described here, followed by a description of the three other weights, and a discussion on the dating and the metrology of the weights and the series, and their historical context.